All-terrain vehicle

ABSTRACT

An all-terrain vehicle has an air ventilation system positioned adjacent a rearmost point of the front ground engaging members and directing air rearwardly through an engine compartment, wherein the air ventilation system includes at least one air scoop adjacent a front of the vehicle for directing the air. In addition, an ATV is disclosed having a rear rack having an integral storage bin, where the storage bin is one piece with the rear rack. The storage bin is sealed.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)and, more particularly, to an ATV having improved ergonomics andperformance.

Generally, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are used to carry one or twopassengers and a small amount of cargo over a variety of terrains. Dueto increasing recreational interest in ATVs, specialty ATVs, such asthose used for trail riding, racing, and cargo hauling have entered themarket place. Most ATVs include an engine including between one andthree cylinders. Most ATVs include a straddle or saddle type seatpositioned above the engine. Examples of ATVs are disclosed in patentapplication Ser. No. 14/208,921 filed on Mar. 13, 2014; and/or in U.S.Pat. Nos. 8,122,993 and 8,215,694, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, an all-terrain vehicle comprises a longitudinallyextending frame; front and rear ground engaging members coupled to andsupporting the frame; a straddle seat coupled to the frame forsupporting at least one rider; an engine positioned under the seat andcoupled to the frame; a transmission drivingly coupled to the engine anddrivingly coupled to the front and rear wheels; an exhaust systemincluding an exhaust pipe extending from the engine and rearwardly to aposition adjacent a rear of the frame; a foot pedestal positioned onleft and right sides of the frame for placement of the rider's feet; abody panel enclosing each lateral side of the frame above the footpedestal and below the seat; and an air ventilation system positionedadjacent a rearmost point of the front wheel and directing airrearwardly through the engine compartment.

In another aspect, an all-terrain vehicle comprises a longitudinallyextending frame; front and rear ground engaging members coupled to andsupporting the frame; a straddle seat coupled to the frame forsupporting at least one rider; an engine positioned under the seat andcoupled to the frame; a transmission drivingly coupled to the engine anddrivingly coupled to the front and rear ground engaging members; a footpedestal positioned on left and right sides of the frame for placementof the rider's feet; an air ventilation system positioned adjacent arearmost point of the front ground engaging members and directing airrearwardly through the engine compartment, wherein the air ventilationsystem includes at least one air scoop adjacent a front of the vehiclefor directing the air.

In another aspect, an all-terrain vehicle comprises a longitudinallyextending frame; front and rear ground engaging members coupled to andsupporting the frame; a straddle seat coupled to the frame forsupporting at least one rider; an engine positioned under the seat andcoupled to the frame; a rear rack positioned rearwardly of the straddleseat; and a storage bin integrally formed with the rear rack.

In another aspect, an all-terrain vehicle comprises a longitudinallyextending frame; front and rear ground engaging members coupled to andsupporting the frame; a straddle seat coupled to the frame forsupporting at least one rider; an engine positioned under the seat andcoupled to the frame; a rear rack positioned rearwardly of the straddleseat; a storage bin positioned within the rear rack; and a coverrotatably positioned over the storage bin, the cover conforming to thetop surface of the rear rack and forming a load bearing surface.

In yet another aspect, an all-terrain vehicle comprises a longitudinallyextending frame; front and rear ground engaging members coupled to andsupporting the frame; a straddle seat coupled to the frame forsupporting at least one rider; an engine positioned under the seat andcoupled to the frame; a rear rack positioned rearwardly of the straddleseat; a storage bin positioned within the rear rack, the rear rackincluding a channel surrounding the storage bin; a seal positionedwithin the channel and surrounding the storage bin; and a coverrotatably positioned over the storage bin and contacting the seal whenin a closed position, the cover having overstress protection whenloaded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of the all-terrain vehicle ofthe present application;

FIG. 2 is a right rear perspective view of the all-terrain vehicle ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the all-terrain vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the all-terrain vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the all-terrain vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the all-terrain vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the all-terrain vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the rear rack and storagecompartment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view through lines 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged portion of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 shown in an exploded manner;

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view of the hinge shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the front of the vehicle with thesuspension and front drive mechanism removed for clarity;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view through lines 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a left perspective view of the air ventilation system;

FIG. 15 is a right perspective view of the air ventilation system;

FIG. 16 shows a rear perspective view of a portion of the right sidepanel;

FIG. 17 is an underside right front perspective view showing the rightfoot pedestal and side panel in an exploded manner;

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the left foot pedestal; and

FIG. 19 shows an exploded view of the tie-downs positioned in the rearrack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. Unless stated otherwise the drawings areproportional. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed inthe following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosenand described so that others skilled in the art may utilize theirteachings. While the present disclosure is primarily directed to an ATV,it should be understood that the features disclosed herein may haveapplication to other types of vehicles such as utility vehicles,motorcycles, watercraft, snowmobiles, people movers, and golf carts.

With reference first to FIGS. 1-7, a vehicle 2 is shown as anall-terrain-vehicle (ATV) including a frame 4 (FIG. 3) coupled to andsupported by front wheels 6 and rear wheels 8. Front wheels 6 comprisetires 6 a and rims 6 b. Rear wheels 8 comprise tires 8 a and rims 8 b.ATV generally includes a power train shown at 10 (FIG. 3), which will bedescribed in further detail herein. Front wheels 6 are coupled to frame4 by way of a front suspension 12 (FIG. 6), and rear wheels 8 arecoupled to frame 4 by way of a rear suspension 14 (FIG. 7). ATV furtherincludes a seat assembly 16, which as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for asingle rider, but ATV 2 could be modified to incorporate two riders asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,678,464 or 8,430,442, the subject matterof which is incorporated herein by reference. ATV 2 also includes asteering assembly 18 for steering at least the front wheels 6 as isknown in the art. Steering assembly 18 could be similar to thatdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,122,993, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein by reference.

ATV 2 also includes an outer body 20, generally formed of a plasticmaterial. Outer body 20 may include at least foot pedestals 22 forplacement of a rider's feet while riding, where a left foot pedestal isreferred to as 22L and a right foot pedestal is referred to as 22R. Afront rack 24 is provided forward of steering assembly 18 and a rearrack 26 is provided rearward of seat 16. It should be appreciated thatfront rack 24 could include a plurality of tie downs and/or couldinclude a moveable portion such as a hood to expose a storage cavity forstoring items while riding.

It should also be appreciated that rear rack 26 could include integratedtie down portions such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,905,435,the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. Frontand or rear rack could also include apertures 28 for receiving anexpansion member similar to that shown and/or described in U.S. Pat. No.8,267,034, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein byreference. Outer body 20 may also include front facia 30, front fairing32, light pod 34, left inner-panel 36, right inner-panel 38 (FIG. 4),left side-panel 40, right side-panel 42, and fender body panels 44.

With reference now to FIGS. 8-11, rear rack 26 will be described ingreater detail. With reference first to FIG. 8, rear rack 26 includes anintegrated storage compartment or bin shown generally at 50 whichincludes an integral storage well 52 and a rotatable cover 54. As shownbest in FIG. 9, well 52 is integrated with the rear rack 26, that is,well 52 is formed from a unitary construction such as from a plasticmaterial integrally molded with the rear rack. As shown, storagecompartment 50 is provided such that rear rack 26 defines an indentationat 56 which defines sidewalls 58 and a lower wall 60. Lower wall 60 isthen integral with sidewalls 62 and 64 which merge into sidewalls 66 and68 and lower surface 70 of well 52. As shown best in FIGS. 8 and 9A,wall 60 includes two ribs 80 and 82 with define a channel 84 whichcircumscribes the well 52. An O-ring seal 90 is positioned in thechannel 84 and surrounds the well 52 as best shown in FIG. 8.

With reference to FIGS. 8-9A, cover 54 will be described in greaterdetail. As shown best in FIG. 9, top cover 54 includes a top surface 94which generally conforms with a top surface 96 of the rear rack 26.Cover 54 includes sidewalls 100 which extend into the indentation 56such that the cover rotates into the indentation when the cover isclosed. Cover 54 rotates about rear rack 26 through a hinge assembly 102as described in greater detail herein. As shown best in FIG. 8, cover 54conforms to the indentation 56 and includes wall portions 100, 104, rearwall portions 106, and wall portions 108 and 110 which define anextension at 112. Extension 112 includes a latch component at 114 whichcorresponds to a latch portion 116 located in the indentation 56.

It should be appreciated that each of the wall portions 100, 104, 106,108 and 110 rotate into the indentation 56 upon closure of the cover 54.More particularly, rib 80 defines indentation portions such that coverwall portions rotate into the indentation, namely sidewalls 100 rotateinto indentation portion 56 a, wall portions 106 rotate into indentationportion 56 b, wall portions 104 rotate into indentation portion 56 c,and extension 112 rotates into indentation portion 56 d.

As shown best in FIG. 8, an underside of cover 54 includes a pluralityof rigidifying ribs, namely an outer rib 120 and an inner rib 122. Outerrib 120 extends in a circular fashion around and inside of cover 54 andinner rib 122 is generally parallel with rib 120 adjacent a perimeter ofthe cover 54. Cover 54 also includes a plurality of longitudinallyextending ribs 126 and a plurality of cross ribs 128 to rigidify cover54. As shown best in FIG. 9A, outer rib 120 is profiled to be centeredon channel 84 and therefore when cover 54 is in a closed position, rib120 extends downwardly into O-ring 90 forming a sealed connection forthe well portion 52. In addition, cover 54 has an overstress protectionto prevent damaging hinge 102. That is, walls 100, 104, 108 and 110include tabs 130 which define standoffs to define a maximum amount ofdeflection of cover 54 relative to rear rack 26. That is, as cover 54forms a weight-bearing portion of the rear rack 26, cover 54 is definedwith a minimum amount of deflection defined by a distance “Y” as shownin FIG. 9A. That is, cover 54 would deflect downwardly due to weightplaced upon the top of the cover 54, under the resilient deflectionbetween rib 120 and O-ring 92, until tab 130 contacts surface 56 e ofindentation of 56.

With reference now to FIGS. 10 and 11, hinge 102 will be described ingreater detail. As shown, wall 106 of cover 54 includes flanges 150 andpost 152 extends upwardly and rearwardly from surface 56 e as best shownin FIG. 11. Latch assembly 102 further includes an interference post 154having a slot 156 having interfering walls 158. Latch assembly 102further includes an L-shaped pin 160 having a first portion 160 areceivable through flanges 150 and post 152 and a second portion 160 bwhich may be moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11 to bereceived in interference fit with walls 158.

Finally, a lanyard 170 is provided to define an extreme open positionwhere lanyard 170 may be coupled to a first position 172 within well 52and a second position 174 on a backside of cover 54. Lanyard may beattached by way of fasteners such as 176.

From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the storage bin isintegrally formed with the rear rack. Also, the cover conforms to thetop surface of the rear rack and forms a load bearing surface, that issurface 94 conforms to surface 96, as best shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A.Also, the rear rack 26 includes a channel 84 surrounding the storage binand a seal is positioned within the channel and surrounds the storagebin. The cover 54 is rotatably positioned over the storage bin andcontacting the seal 90 when in a closed position.

As disclosed herein, the rear rack 26 is formed with an indentation 56and the cover 54 fits within the indentation. The cover 54 is movabledownwardly to a position where a portion of the cover contacts a floor60 of the indentation. The portion contacting the floor comprisesstandoff tabs 130.

With reference now to FIGS. 12-18, an air cooling/ventilation system ofthe vehicle will be described. With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 4,front panel 36 is shown positioned directly in front of and adjacent arear wall of left foot-pedestal 22L whereas front panel 38 is shownpositioned directly in front of and adjacent a rear wall of rightfoot-pedestal 22R. As shown, front panel 36 defines an air scoop 180 andfront panel 38 defines an air scope 182. As shown best in FIG. 14, leftpanel 36 is shown with air scoop 180 facing forwardly where panel 36 ispositioned in front of a front wall 186 of left foot-pedestal 22L. Panel36 is coupled to a lower frame portion 188 and an upper frame portion190 by way of fasteners 192 as is known in the art. With reference toFIG. 15, panel 38 is shown with air scoop 182 facing forwardly andpositioned directly in front of right foot-pedestal 22R. Panel 38 iscoupled to the frame portions 188 and 190 by way of fasteners 192.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, side panels 40 and 42 of foot-pedestals 22Land 22R, respectively are substantially closed off from the enginecompartment with the exception of a small trapezoidally-shaped opening190 in the left panel 40 to provide access to the engine oil dipstick192 as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, panel 42 is substantiallyclosed off from the engine. The closing off of the side panels 40 and 42provides a cleaner atmosphere for the rider such that mud and debrisdoes not kick up from the front tires and land on the foot-pedestals oron to the rider. However the closing off the side panels prevents heatfrom the engine from dissipating outwardly and thus the air scoopsprovide a cooling effect for the engine and remaining power trainingcomponents. As shown best in FIG. 13, the cross-sectional view shows theair flow pattern in greater detail.

As shown, powertrain 10 includes an engine 200 and a vehicle component202 positioned forwardly of the engine 200. In the embodiment shown, thevehicle component 202 is a fuel tank. The location of the fuel tank 202creates an air dam at the front of the vehicle causing the airflow to beredirected to either a right side or left side of the fuel tank 202. Itshould be understood that the vehicle component could be other than afuel tank, for example, the vehicle component could be a storagecompartment, and the fuel tank could be placed elsewhere. Air scoops 180and 182 pickup that airflow and redirect it through air channels into aninside of the engine compartment and on a backside of the side panels 40and 42 and on either side of the engine 200 as shown in FIG. 13. Engine200 is coupled to an exhaust system 204 such that the airflow throughair scoops 180 and 182 moves rearwardly through the vehicle and alsocools the exhaust 204.

With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the foot-pedestals 22R and 22L willbe described in greater detail. With reference first to FIG. 17, thepanel potion 42 of right pedestal 22R is defined by the rear wall 210 ofthe foot-pedestal 22R together with panel portions 212 and 214. Panelportion 212 includes lower tabs 216 which couple with a channel 218 inright foot pedestal 22R and by way of fasteners 220. Meanwhile panelportion 214 is coupled to panel portion 212 by way of fasteners 226. Thetwo panel portions 212 and 214 coupled to side wall 210 of foot-pedestal22R encloses a side of the foot well as shown best in FIG. 16. Footpedestal 22L is shown in FIG. 18 where aperture 190 is integrally formedin the panel portion 40 of foot-pedestal 22L.

Thus, from the above disclosure, it should be apparent that the airventilation system includes at least one air scoop adjacent a front ofthe vehicle for directing the air rearward to cool the enginecompartment. While two air scoops are shown, it is conceivable that theall-terrain vehicle has at least one air scoop. As shown in FIG. 13, theair scoops 180, 182 are longitudinally positioned adjacent arearwardmost position of the front wheels 6. In addition, the right andleft air scoops 180, 182 are positioned laterally inward of aninwardmost position of the front ground engaging members. Furthermore,the frame includes upper and lower frame rails and the right and leftair scoops 180, 182 are positioned vertically intermediate the upper andlower frame rails. Finally, the right and left air scoops 180, 182 arepositioned laterally outward of the body panels 40, 42.

As disclosed, the all-terrain vehicle 2 further includes a vehiclecomponent forward of the engine forming an air dam, where the right andleft air scoops 180, 182 are positioned laterally outward of the outwardmost position of the vehicle component. As disclosed, the vehiclecomponent is a fuel tank 202. Furthermore, the side panels 40, 42 (withair scoops 180, 182) are cooler than when the side panels were left open(with no air scoops). It has been shown that the temperature drop isroughly 15-20% or about 20° F. cooler.

With reference now to FIG. 19, integrated tie-downs will be described,and will be referred to generally as 230. As shown in FIG. 19, a rackframe is shown at 232, coupled to the upper frame rails 234 by way ofupstanding gussets 236. Rack frame 232 includes generally longitudinallyextending portions 240 (only one of which can be viewed in FIG. 19), anda horizontally extending portion 242. Tie-down bars 250 and 252 arecoupled directly to the rack frame 232 such as by welding.

As shown, fender body panel 44 includes a rear panel 254 having a sidewall 256 along a marginal edge of the fender body panel 44. Wall 254includes upstanding perimetral wall 260 encircling an opening 262. Wall260 includes a relief portion 264 and wall 256 includes a relief section266. It should be appreciated that wall 256 sits flush against rear rackframe 232, such that tie-down bars protrude upwardly thought theopenings 262. As also shown, rear rack 26 includes a side marginal edge270 having upstanding pockets 272. Pockets 272 define openings 274 andrelief areas 276.

When the rack 26 is positioned over the fender body panel 44, thetie-down bars fit within the pockets 272, adjacent the relief areas 276,so as to not obstruct the openings 274. Thus, a tie-down strap can bepositioned through the opening 274, or through the relief area 276 suchthat a hook on the tie-down strap catches the tie-down bars 250. In thismanner, tension is placed on the frame of the vehicle, not on theplastic body panels such as the fender panel 44 or rack 26.

In a similar manner, the rear rack 26 includes a rear marginal edge 280having apertures 282 which overlie the tie-down bars 252 for receivingtie-down straps through apertures 282.

With reference still to FIG. 19, rack extenders are shown at 290 whichcouple over the top of the pockets 272, which act to provide additionaltie-down points and to provide additional apertures 28, for the purposediscussed previously. Rack extender 290 is coupled to the rear rack 26by way of fasteners 294 through apertures 296 of rack extenders 290;through apertures 298 of rear rack 26; through apertures 300 of fenderbody panel 44; and into threaded apertures 302 of rear frame 232.Additional fasteners 310 extend through apertures 312 of fender bodypanel 44; through apertures 314 and into threaded apertures 316.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design,the present invention may be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

1. An all-terrain vehicle, comprising: a longitudinally extending frame;front and rear ground engaging members coupled to and supporting theframe; a straddle seat coupled to the frame for supporting at least onerider; an engine positioned under the seat and coupled to the frame; atransmission drivingly coupled to the engine and drivingly coupled tothe front and rear ground engaging members; a foot pedestal positionedon left and right sides of the frame for placement of the rider's feet;a body panel substantially enclosing each lateral side of the frameabove the foot pedestals and below the seat; and an air ventilationsystem positioned adjacent a rearmost point of the front ground engagingmembers and directing air rearwardly through the engine compartment andinward of the left and right foot pedestals.
 2. The all-terrain vehicleof claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body panels are integratedwith the foot pedestals.
 3. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe air ventilation system includes at least one air scoop adjacent afront of the vehicle for directing the air.
 4. The all-terrain vehicleof claim 1, wherein the at least one air scoop comprises right and leftair scoops positioned adjacent an inwardmost lateral position of thefront ground engaging members.
 5. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 4,wherein the frame includes upper and lower frame rails and the right andleft air scoops are positioned vertically intermediate the upper andlower frame rails.
 6. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 4, wherein theright and left air scoops are positioned laterally inward of aninwardmost position of the front ground engaging members.
 7. Theall-terrain vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a vehicle componentforward of the engine forming an air dam, the right and left air scoopsare positioned laterally outward of the outward most position of thevehicle component.
 8. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 7, wherein theright and left air scoops are positioned laterally outward of the bodypanels.
 9. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 7, wherein the vehiclecomponent is a fuel tank.
 10. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1,further comprising an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe extendingfrom the engine and rearwardly to a position adjacent a rear of theframe.
 11. An all-terrain vehicle, comprising: a longitudinallyextending frame; front and rear ground engaging members coupled to andsupporting the frame; a straddle seat coupled to the frame forsupporting at least one rider; an engine positioned under the seat andcoupled to the frame; a transmission drivingly coupled to the engine anddrivingly coupled to the front and rear ground engaging members; a footpedestal positioned on left and right sides of the frame for placementof the rider's feet; an air ventilation system positioned adjacent arearmost point of the front ground engaging members and directing airrearwardly through the engine compartment, wherein the air ventilationsystem includes at least one air scoop adjacent a front of the vehiclefor directing the air.
 12. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 11, whereina body panel substantially encloses each lateral side of the frame abovethe foot pedestals and below the seat.
 13. The all-terrain vehicle ofclaim 12, wherein the air ventilation system directs the air inward ofthe left and right foot pedestals.
 14. The all-terrain vehicle of claim11, wherein the at least one air scoop comprises right and left airscoops positioned adjacent an inwardmost lateral position of the frontground engaging members.
 15. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 11,wherein the frame includes upper and lower frame rails and the right andleft air scoops are positioned vertically intermediate the upper andlower frame rails.
 16. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 11, wherein theright and left air scoops are positioned laterally inward of aninwardmost position of the front ground engaging members.
 17. Theall-terrain vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a vehicle componentforward of the engine forming an air dam, the right and left air scoopsare positioned laterally outward of the outward most position of thevehicle component.
 18. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 17, wherein theright and left air scoops are positioned laterally outward of the bodypanels.
 19. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 17, wherein the vehiclecomponent is a fuel tank.
 20. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 17,further comprising an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe extendingfrom the engine and rearwardly to a position adjacent a rear of theframe.
 21. An all-terrain vehicle, comprising: a longitudinallyextending frame; front and rear ground engaging members coupled to andsupporting the frame; a straddle seat coupled to the frame forsupporting at least one rider; an engine positioned under the seat andcoupled to the frame; a rear rack positioned rearwardly of the straddleseat; and a storage bin integrally formed with the rear rack.
 22. TheATV of claim 21, wherein the rear rack and storage bin are comprised ofa unitary molded piece.
 23. The ATV of claim 21, further comprising acover rotatably positioned over the storage bin, the cover conforming toa top surface of the rear rack and forming a load bearing surface. 24.The ATV of claim 23, wherein the rear rack is formed with an indentationand the cover fits within the indentation.
 25. The ATV of claim 24,wherein the cover is movable downwardly to a position where a portion ofthe cover contacts a floor of the indentation.
 26. The ATV of claim 25,wherein the portion contacting the floor comprises standoff tabs. 27.The ATV of claim 21, wherein the rear rack including a channelsurrounding the storage bin; a seal is positioned within the channel andsurrounds the storage bin; and a cover is rotatably positioned over thestorage bin and contacts the seal when in a closed position.
 28. The ATVof claim 27, wherein the cover includes a rib extending downwardly frominside surface of the cover and contacts the seal when in the closedposition.
 29. The ATV of claim 28, wherein the seal is an O-ring seal.30. An all-terrain vehicle, comprising: a longitudinally extendingframe; front and rear ground engaging members coupled to and supportingthe frame; a straddle seat coupled to the frame for supporting at leastone rider; an engine positioned under the seat and coupled to the frame;a rear rack positioned rearwardly of the straddle seat; a storage binpositioned within the rear rack; and a cover rotatably positioned overthe storage bin, the cover conforming to the top surface of the rearrack and forming a load bearing surface.
 31. The ATV of claim 30,wherein the rear rack is formed with an indentation and the cover fitswithin the indentation.
 32. The ATV of claim 31, wherein the cover ismovable downwardly to a position where a portion of the cover contacts afloor of the indentation.
 33. The ATV of claim 32, wherein the portioncontacting the floor comprises standoff tabs.
 34. The ATV of claim 32,wherein one of the rear rack and cover includes a channel surroundingthe storage bin; a seal is positioned within the channel and surroundsthe storage bin; and a cover is rotatably positioned over the storagebin and is movable between an open and a closed position contacts theseal when
 35. The ATV of claim 34, wherein the other of the rear rackand cover includes a rib extending in a like profile as the channel andcontacts the seal when in the closed position.
 36. The ATV of claim 35,wherein the rear rack includes the channel and the cover includes therib extending downwardly therefrom and contacts the seal when in theclosed position.
 37. The ATV of claim 35, wherein the seal is an O-ringseal.
 38. The ATV of claim 30, wherein the rear rack and storage bin arecomprised of a unitary molded piece.
 39. An all-terrain vehicle,comprising: a longitudinally extending frame; front and rear groundengaging members coupled to and supporting the frame; a straddle seatcoupled to the frame for supporting at least one rider; an enginepositioned under the seat and coupled to the frame; a rear rackpositioned rearwardly of the straddle seat; a storage bin positionedwithin the rear rack; a channel surrounding the storage bin; a sealpositioned within the channel and surrounding the storage bin; and acover rotatably positioned over the storage bin and contacting the sealwhen in a closed position, the cover having overstress protection whenloaded.
 40. The ATV of claim 39, wherein the cover includes a ribextending downwardly from an inside surface of the cover and contactsthe seal when in the closed position.
 41. The ATV of claim 40, whereinthe seal is an O-ring seal.
 42. The ATV of claim 39, wherein the coverconforms to the top surface of the rear rack and forms a load bearingsurface.
 43. The ATV of claim 42, wherein the rear rack is formed withan indentation and the cover fits within the indentation.
 44. The ATV ofclaim 43, wherein the cover, when in a closed position, is movabledownwardly to a position where a portion of the cover contacts a floorof the indentation.
 45. The ATV of claim 44, wherein the overstressprotection comprises standoff tabs for contacting the floor.